Rev. Bettie Ruth Kennedy's Obituary
Services for Bettie Kennedy, 84, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the Harmony Hill Baptist Church, 2708 S. Chestnut St., Lufkin, TX. Burial will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 805 E. Denman Ave., Lufkin, TX. The Repass Celebration will be at the St. Cyprian's School Gym, 1115 S. John Redditt Dr., Lufkin, Tx. immediately following the interment.
In Lieu of flowers, you are invited to send donations to the Bettie Kennedy Scholarship Fund.
c/o of The Taylor Kennedy Foundation, Inc. at any Regions Bank made payable to the Bettie Kennedy Fund at Regions Bank.
Bettie Kennedy was born May 19, 1931 to Willie Mae Engram, a single parent, in Broaddus, Texas.
She was legally adopted by her great Uncle and Aunt, Will and Evie Bell Engram of Lufkin in 1934.
She Attended Lufkin Public Schools, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1949. Following high
school, she attended college at Prairie View A & M University where she was an extremely active student. She was elected ROTC Queen and selected finalist in the Queen's Court at Praire View A & M University. In 1953 she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She also attended post graduate courses at Stephen F. Austin and Texas Southern University. She completed her Post Graduate certification in Special Education. Bettie received special training and cerification from the Texas Deaf Blind and Orphan School in Austin, Texas.
Bettie taught at the Deaf, Blind & Orphan School in Austin for a number of years. She subsequently taught in Lufkin Public for over twenty-five years. After teaching, she became an ordained minister and was pastor of Collins Chapel Christian Methodist Church (C. M. E. ) for over
twenty years. She continued as a affiliate pastor of Long Chapel CME Church until her death.
In recent years, Bettie has received numerous awards and honors including the Yellow Rose of Texas, Texas Community Service Award, Angelina Award Award Lifetime Achievement Community Service Award, Cultural Diversity Award, Paul Harris Fellow Rotary
International Award Award and Fellow, Citizen Chamber Pinnacle Award, Civil Rights Award, Diboll History Center Award, U.S. Forestry Award, Outstanding Citizen Award, Black History Award, Jewel Award, Preservation Award, Concerned Citizen Award, Tpo Ladies of Distinction, Delta Theta Sorority, American Cancer Society Presidents Award, Dunbar Hall of Fame Honor
inductee, Salvation Army Award, AmeriCorps of Texas Award and the Angelina Award.
Bettie lived her life as a servant of the Lord and to serve His people. Her ministry to others began
when she was a small child. During the throes of the Great Depression, she saw her mother, Evie Bell, feeding, clothing and taking care of those in the community. Bettie would ride her bicycle far beyond her home on N. Chestnut, Laden with food and clothes to give to people in need. She continued this love for God's people throughout her life. She started a Thanksgiving Community Food Drive over twenty- five years ago. Over time and with the support of churches, friends, family and others, particularly Bruce Love of DP Solutions, this Food Drive has grown to feed more than 1600 families in the Lufkin and surrounding communities.
Bettie was a amazing storyteller and historian. She was always sought out for her portrayals of great African American women - Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks and Coretta King. Bettie has worked with Stephen F. Austin to research and preserve African American history in East Texas, having a collection and exhibit named for her in 2014.
Bettie was preceded in death by her former husband Oscar Kennedy, parents: Will and Evie Bell Engram and Willie Mae Engram. She is survived by her children, Son: Oscar D. (Myrt), Kermit A., Keith C. (Lisa) Kennedy. Daughters: Oscar Vernell Jordon, Miriam (Howard) Coleman, Bettie (Rex) Benham, Willette (Roy) Dubose, Valencia Kennedy, Bettie "Boo" (Anthony) Watts, Angela
Moreland. Also left to cherish her memory are her special cousins, Gladys Square, Willie Ingram and Lee George Ingram, her best friend, Myrtle Davis and her husband Paul Davis (who Bettie referred to as her little brother). Bettie had numerous close friends that she considered family, including friends, Harold Hicks, Lacy Chimney and his wife, Dorothy, Shirley Fears Davis, and her husband, Rev. Milbrew Davis.
Bettie's personal circle of influence included the common men and women you meet in every day life, from the highly elected and successful people, to the ordinary man on the street. Bettie touched countless lives and lived her life to lead and inspire others.
What’s your fondest memory of Bettie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bettie?
Share a story where Bettie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bettie you’ll never forget.
How did Bettie make you smile?